Dates produced

1982-1985 and February 2011-December 2012

Designer

Michael Harris (1982-1985 range)
Timothy Harris (2011-2012 range)

About this design

Minimals were made first, between 1982 and 1985. The larger Maximals were made between 1984 and 1985. The range consisted of animal-shaped paperweights in the Azurene 'Black' finish, with either silver and gold or just gold foil applied. Initially there were 16 types of paperweight: pig, cat, frog, owl, penguin, rabbit, tortoise, duck, polar bear, elephant, snail, field mouse, dove, squirrel, dolphin, and hedgehog. In 1985, a whale (Minimal and Maximal) and hippopotamus (Maximal only) were added.

Minimals and Maximals were also produced by St John's Crystal on the Isle of Man under licence. After St John's Glass provoked a licencing issue with IOWSG in 1985, colours other than black Azurene were produced. The company did not survive much longer after the dispute.

The later Minimals collection consisted of seven animal shapes in Azurene 'Black'. They were first issued in February 2011. The shapes were a hedgehog, penguin, dove, two snails with differing shell shapes, polar bear and turtle. On issue, 15 numbered sets (only available as a complete set) signed by Timothy Harris were offered to IOWSG Collectors' Club members. Minimals sold to the general public were not signed.